DUBLIN — A lesson on the history of the town of Dublin triggered a conversation in Susan Ellingwood’s third-grade classroom at the Dublin Consolidated School last month that she said Monday could not be ignored.

As a part of the third graders’ social studies curriculum, Ellingwood said they are introduced to the types of jobs necessary to run a town, as well as many of the responsibilities those workers have on a daily basis. But one reoccurring question among her third graders, Ellingwood said, was: “Who are these people, and what do they do in Dublin?”

That’s when Ellingwood said she realized what an incredible learning opportunity it would be for her students to discover the answer themselves in interviews with town volunteers and employees.

During the past month, Ellingwood’s 13 students interviewed 16 people in Dublin for short stories that were recently compiled into a book and accompany hand-painted portraits of each interviewee. Monday, the students welcomed their parents and interviewees to an event at the school, where they read their stories aloud.

Sandy Beal of Dublin, a parent, said after the event that the project provided her daughter, Caitlin, with a greater understanding of the Dublin community, and gave her the chance to practice her writing, interviewing and public-speaking skills. “She was very excited about it. It gave her a sense of importance,” Beal said.

Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 228 or adandrea@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter at @alyssadandrea.

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